Installation elements and methods for fastening an installation element to a work surface

• US 20050205193A1
• Filed: 02/15/2005
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blanco GmbH + Company KG (EGO Blanc und Fischer & Company GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Blanco GmbH + Company KG (EGO Blanc und Fischer & Company GmbH)
• Inventors: Von Mertz, Gert Spruner
• Granted Patent: US 7,494,556 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/71
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/33 Fastening sinks or basins in an apertured support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1036 Bending of one piece blank and joining edges to form article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

Methods to fasten an installation element, in particular a sink, to the edge of a receiving opening for the installation element in a work surface are disclosed, wherein the installation element has at least one holding element, which enables the installation element to be fastened simply and quickly to the work surface. A disclosed method comprises: (a) arranging a variable-volume material on the installation element and/or on the holding element and/or on the work surface and/or between the installation element and the work surface; (b) arranging the installation element in the receiving opening of the work surface; (c) changing the volume of the variable-volume material, so that a clamping body is formed from the variable-volume material, which exerts a resultant force on the holding element of the installation element, which causes the installation element to be pulled towards the work surface.

Claims

1. A method for fastening an installation element to the edge of a receiving opening for the installation element in a work surface, wherein the installation element has at least one holding element, comprising:

arranging a variable-volume material on the installation element and/or on the holding element and/or on the work surface and/or between the installation element and the work surface;

arranging the installation element in the receiving opening of the work surface;

changing the volume of the variable-volume material, so that a clamping body is formed from the variable-volume material, which exerts a resultant force on the holding element of the installation element, which causes the installation element to be pulled towards the work surface.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the holding element is fastened to the installation element before arranging the variable-volume material.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein an expandable material is used as variable-volume material, and wherein the expandable material expands so that a clamping body is formed from the expandable material, which exerts a resultant compressive force on the holding element of the installation element, which causes the installation element to be pulled towards the work surface.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein a foamable material is used as expandable material.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein a plastic foam, preferably a two-component plastic foam, in particular a two-component polyurethane foam, is used as foamable material.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the expandable material expands to its final volume in at least two stages.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein in a first expansion stage, the expandable material forms an integral bond with the work surface and/or with the holding element.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the clamping body is connected in integral and/or force-locking manner with the work surface and/or with the holding element.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein a cut face of the work surface facing the receiving opening for the installation element is sealed by the clamping body.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein a holding element is used that has a contact surface, which is subjected by the clamping body to a compressive force, which has a downwardly directed component.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein a holding element with a contact surface inclined towards the horizontal is used.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein a holding element is used that has a contact surface, of which the edge on the work surface side lies at a lower level than the edge remote from the work surface.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein a holding element is used, which abuts flat against the underside of the installation element.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the holding element abuts against a sloping edge of the installation element.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein a holding element is used, which has a support, which is supported on the work surface when the holding element is subjected by the clamping body to a force directed in horizontal direction into the interior of the receiving opening.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the holding element is fastened, preferably welded, to the installation element in the region of a bend line of the installation element.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the holding element is fastened, preferably welded, to the installation element in the region of a bend line between a sloping edge and a substantially horizontal edge region of the installation element.

18. A method according to claim 1, wherein the clamping body partially fills an expansion chamber defined on one side by the holding element and on the other side by the work surface, preferably to approximately 50% to approximately 90% of the volume of the expansion chamber.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the variable-volume material expands in an expansion chamber defined on one side by the holding element and on the other side by the work surface, wherein an upper end of the expansion chamber is closed off by the holding element abutting against the work surface.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein an edge face of the work surface defining the receiving opening is inclined towards the vertical, at least in sections.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the edge face of the work surface is inclined towards the vertical such that the receiving opening widens downwards.

22. A method according to claim 1, wherein a support element, against which the clamping body is supported, is fastened to the work surface.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the support element subjects the clamping body to a compressive force directed perpendicularly or obliquely downwards.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the support element has a section projecting from the work surface obliquely to a surface of the work surface.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein a holding element is used, which is provided, preferably on its lower end, with a guide element for a cutting blade.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein on the installation element and/or on the holding element and/or on the work surface and/or between the installation element and the work surface at least one separating element is arranged, which is movable relative to the clamping body to cut through the clamping body and/or to separate the clamping body from the work surface and/or from the holding element.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the separating element is configured as a wire, preferably as a metal wire.

28. A method according to claim 26, wherein the separating element is provided with a sheath, preferably with a paper sheath.

29. A method according to claim 26, wherein the separating element and/or a sheath of the separating element is fastened, preferably glued, to the holding element.

30. A method according to claim 26, wherein the separating element is provided with an operating element directed out of the interstice between the holding element and the work surface.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the separating element has one or more end regions and on each end region is provided with a respective operating element directed out of the interstice between the holding element and the work surface.

32. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the variable-volume material is arranged in a flexible sheath.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the variable-volume material comprises two components, which are firstly separated from one another, and wherein the change in volume of the variable-volume material is activated by bringing the two components in contact with one another.

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein the second component is arranged inside a container, which is moved through the interior of the flexible sheath of the first component.

35. A method according to claim 1, wherein on the installation element and/or on the holding element on the work surface and/or between the installation element and the work surface an expansion restricting body is arranged, the volume of which decreases on contact with the variable-volume material, preferably by plastic or elastic deformation and/or by disintegration or decomposition of the expansion restricting body.

36. A method according to claim 35, wherein on the expansion restricting body or inside the expansion restricting body a separating element is arranged, which is movable relative to the clamping body to cut through the clamping body and/or to separate the clamping body from the work surface and/or from the holding element.

37. Use of a variable-volume material in a method for fastening an installation element to the edge of a receiving opening for the installation element in a work surface according to claim 1.

38. An installation element, in particular sink, for insertion into a receiving opening of a work surface, with at least one holding element, wherein the holding element has a contact surface, which on assembly of the installation element on the work surface can be subjected to a force by a clamping body formed from a variable-volume material in such a manner that the installation element is pulled towards the work surface.

39. An installation element according to claim 38, wherein the contact surface is arranged on a leg of the holding element, which projects towards the work surface.

40. An installation element according to claim 38, wherein the contact surface of the holding element can be subjected by the clamping element to a compressive force directed at least partially downwards.

41. An installation element according to claim 38, wherein the contact surface of the holding element is inclined towards the horizontal in the assembled state of the installation element.

42. An installation element according to claim 41, wherein the contact surface lies at a lower level on an edge on the work surface side of the contact surface than on an edge of the contact surface remote from the work surface.

43. An installation element according to claim 38, wherein the holding element abuts flat against an underside of the installation element.

44. An installation element according to claim 43, wherein the holding element abuts flat against a sloping edge of the installation element.

45. An installation element according to claim 38, wherein the holding element has a support, which is supported on the work surface when the holding element is subjected by the clamping body to a force directed in horizontal direction into the interior of the receiving opening.

46. An installation element according to claim 38, wherein the holding element is fastened, preferably welded, to the installation element in the region of a bend line of the installation element.

47. An installation element according to claim 46, wherein the holding element is fastened, preferably welded, to the installation element in the region of a bend line between a sloping edge and a substantially horizontal edge region of the installation element.

48. An installation element according to claim 38, wherein the holding element is provided, preferably on its lower end, with a guide element for a cutting blade.

49. An installation element according to claim 38, wherein at least one separating element is arranged on the installation element to cut through the clamping body and/or to separate the clamping body from the work surface and/or from the holding element.

50. An installation element according to claim 49, wherein the separating element is configured as a wire, preferably as a metal wire.

51. An installation element according to claim 49, wherein the separating element is provided with a sheath, preferably with a paper sheath.

52. An installation element according to claim 49, wherein the separating element and/or a sheath of the separating element is fastened, preferably glued, to the holding element.

53. An installation element according to claim 49, wherein the separating element is provided with an operating element directed out of the holding element.

54. An installation element according to claim 53, wherein the separating element has one or more end regions and on each end region is provided with a respective operating element directed out of the holding element.

55. An installation element according to claim 38, wherein on the installation element an expansion restricting body is arranged, the volume of which decreases on contact with the variable-volume material, preferably by plastic or elastic deformation and/or by decomposition or disintegration of the expansion restricting body.

56. An installation element according to claim 55, wherein on the expansion restricting body and/or inside the expansion restricting body a separating element is arranged, which is movable relative to the installation element to cut through the clamping body and/or to separate the clamping body from the work surface and/or from the holding element.

58. A combination according to claim 57, wherein the installation element is configured in accordance with claim 38.

67. A combination according to claim 66, wherein the installation element is configured in accordance with one of claims 38 to 56.

57. A combination comprising an installation element, in particular a sink, for fastening to the edge of a receiving opening for the installation element in a work surface, wherein the installation element has at least one holding element, and a variable-volume material, wherein the variable-volume material can be arranged on the installation element and/or on the holding element and/or on the work surface and/or between the installation element and the work surface, and wherein the volume of the variable-volume material can be changed so that a clamping body is formed, which exerts a resultant force on the holding element of the installation element, which causes the installation element to be pulled towards the work surface when the installation element is arranged in the receiving opening of the work surface.

59. A combination according to claim 57, wherein the variable-volume material is an expandable material, which is expandable such that a clamping body is formed, which exerts a resultant force on the holding element of the installation element, which causes the installation element to be pulled towards the work surface when the installation element is arranged in the receiving opening of the work surface.

60. A combination according to claim 59, wherein the expandable material is a foamable material.

61. A combination according to claim 60, wherein the foamable material is a plastic foam, preferably a two-component plastic foam, preferably a two-component polyurethane foam.

62. A combination according to claim 59, wherein the expandable material is expandable to its final volume in at least two stages.

63. A combination according to claim 57, wherein at least part of the variable-volume material is arranged in a flexible sheath.

64. A combination according to claim 63, wherein a first component of the variable-volume material is arranged in a flexible sheath, and a second component of the variable-volume material is arranged separately from the first component.

65. A combination according to claim 63, wherein the combination comprises a container, which contains the second component of the variable-volume material, wherein the container is movable through the flexible sheath.

68. A combination according to claim 66, wherein the combination comprising the installation element and the variable-volume material is configured in accordance with claim 57.

66. A combination comprising an installation element, in particular a sink, wherein the installation element has at least one holding element, a work surface with a receiving opening to receive the installation element, and a variable-volume material, wherein the variable-volume material can be arranged on the installation element and/or on the holding element and/or on the work surface and/or between the installation element and the work surface, wherein the installation element can be arranged in the receiving opening of the work surface, and wherein the volume of the variable-volume material can be changed so that a clamping body is formed, which exerts a resultant force on the holding element of the installation element, which causes the installation element to be pulled towards the work surface.

69. A combination according to claim 66, wherein the clamping body is connected in integral and/or force-locking manner with the work surface and/or with the holding element.

70. A combination according to claim 66, wherein an edge face of the work surface facing the receiving opening for the installation element is sealed by the clamping body.

71. A combination according to claim 66, wherein the clamping body partially fills an expansion chamber defined on one side by the holding element and on the other side by the work surface, preferably to approximately 50% to approximately 90% of the volume of the expansion chamber.

72. A combination according to claim 66, wherein the clamping body is arranged in an expansion chamber defined on one side by the holding element and on the other side by the work surface, wherein an upper end of the expansion chamber is closed off by the holding element abutting against the work surface.

73. A combination according to claim 66, wherein an edge face of the work surface defining the receiving opening is inclined towards the vertical, at least in sections.

74. A combination according to claim 73, wherein the edge face of the work surface is inclined such that the receiving opening widens downwards.

75. A combination according to claim 66, wherein a support element, against which the clamping body is supported, is fastened to the work surface.

76. A combination according to claim 75, wherein the support element subjects the clamping body to a compressive force, which has a component directed vertically downwards.

77. A combination according to claim 75, wherein the support element has a section projecting from the work surface obliquely to a surface of the work surface.

78. A combination according to claim 75, wherein the support element comprises a section, which is prestressed towards the clamping body by a spring element.